Copenhagens Købmagergade to be upgraded

Lagt online 29.06.08

The next phase of regenerating one of Copenhagen’s most central places and pedestrian streets is one step closer. Streets and squares will be connected with a big unifying blanket of granite stone in three different colours.

Kultorvet will have a fountain, which can be used as a stage as well. Hauser Plads will continue to function as the middle age- city’s secret oasis, and there will be established a unifying square around Trinitatis Kirke and Rundetårn.

This is the essence of the project, which today won the competition held by the City of Copenhagen about the future Kultorvet. The winning entry called “Fra Kultorvet til Mælkevejen” was prepared by the landscape architects Polyform (Danmark), Karres en Brands Landschapsarchitecten by (The Netherlands), Oluf Jørgensen Ingeniører (Denmark) and Ulrike Brandi Light (Germany).

- If there is one thing Copenhagen has needed for many years it is to move on with the plan of converting and renovating Købmagergade, Hauser Plads and Kultorvet. These places have for a long time called for refurbishment and this is now finally happening. The two places are being rethought so that the people of Copenhagen and the city’s guests feel like staying there. In addition, Købmagergade will have a new much needed pavement - everything of the highest quality. We have a winner here, who really understands the need to make these urban spaces accessible as well as attractive for people to stay at and hang around, says Copenhagen Mayor of Technique and Environment Klaus Bondam.

The jury concludes that the winning entry displays a good appreciation of the history, nature and function of each of the squares and that it, with understated discretion, emphasises the robust qualities of the public domain in a way that makes it a calm and safe framework for people and lifestyles that are diverse and changeable.

The project is funded by the budget agreement of 2007 and the Knud Højgaard Foundation.

Twelve Danish and international teams took part in the competition. All twelve competition entries will be displayed in Trinitatis Square at the foot of the Round Tower in the center of Copenhagen from 26 June to 25 July 2008.

Further information: www.kk.dk/koebmagergade

Illustrations from the winning project.